Spring-balance shade-roller



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. 4

D. E. KEMPSTI E' R. SPRING BALANCE SHADE ROLLER.

' Patented Jan. $1882.

No 251,893. w

' wi e seg @g irb/E t f m @WZ Q .&WM

N. PETERS. Pholwulhcgmpher. washmm. no.

(7N0 M60151) 2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

D. B. KEMPSTER.

SPRING BALANCE SHADE, ROLLER.

No. 251,893. Patented Jan. 3.1882.

I ll! I10! i g UNITE STATES PATENT? OFFICE.

DANIEL E. KEMPSTER, OF BoS'roN, MASSACHUSETTS.

SPRING-BALANCE SHADE-ROLLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 251,893, dated January 3, 1882.

Application filed September 5, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, DANIEL E. KEMPS'IER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Sntfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring-Balance Shade- Rollers; and I do hereby declare that the same are fully describedin the following specifica tion and illustrated in the accompanyingdraw-V Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, constructed with my improvements; Fig. 2, a transverse vertical section of the same on the line V V, shown in Fig. 1, showing the position of'the locking device when the roller is in operation in its brackets; Fig. 3, a similar View, showing the roller as removed from its brackets and the spring locked. Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively perspective details of spindle-cam and spring locking-cylinder. Fig. 6 is atransverse vertical section, on the line W W shown in Fig. 1,0f the roller-journal and the inner side elevation of its friction-bracket. Fig. 7 is a top edge view of the shade-stick; Fig. 8, a side elevation thereof, and Fig. 9 a cross-section on the line 3 y of Fig. 8.

My invention has relation to that class of spring-rollers which are adapted for use with weighted shades, the spring serving to wind up the shade on the roller when such shade is raised and relieved of its weight, the latter serving to counterbalance the spring when the shade is at a state of rest.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A indicates a shade-roller having a hard-wood cap, A, and a spindle, B,with angular end b, which rests in bracket 0, the opposite end of said roller having ajournal, a, which rests in bracket D, having a friction-bearing, d.

E is a spiral spring,whose opposite ends are secured to the roller and spindle, respectively.

F is a shade, secured to the rollerin the usual manner, and G is a weighted slat attached thereto.

H is a cam with corrugations l 2 3, &c., and circular sides h h, and having a pocket, 6, said cam being fast on the spindle B.

I is the corrugated locking-cylinder.

G is the grooved shade-stick for the reception of the weight K.

There are in this invention several distinct features of improvement, which I will describe in succession.

My first improvement consists in the employment of a fabric or material composed of cotton and rubber, for the hearings or journals of the rollers, whereby very valuable results are effected. First, the peculiar friction produced is especially adapted to balance spring fixtures wherein it is difficult or impossible to so adjust the length and strength of the spring to the varying sizes and weights of shades that it will balance the same equally at the top and bottom of the window, balance-shades be- "ing apt to run up at the bottom and run down at the top of the window; but the friction of this material as a bearing or journal is such that the spring may be adjusted to suflicient strength at the top to hold the shade close up, and yet not be so strong as to overcome the friction when the shade is lowered to the bottom of the window; second, the material is such that itw'ill wear an indefinite length of time and will never produce the slightest creaking-an objection so prevalent and annoying withjournals or bearings of shade-rollers. As is shown in Figs. 1 and 6, I prefer to use this material in the form of a ring or bushing, d, secured inside the bracket-head, and ajournal of wood, a, on the end of the roller A, running looselytherein. In cutting out these rings the rubber cuts close and smooth but the cotton, owing to its fibrous nature, cuts so as to .pro-

ject more or less above the surface of the rubher, and therefore peculiarly adapts itself, to a large extent, as a releasing friction-bearing, for when the shade, with its weighted slat or tassel, causes the journal to press down hard upon the bearing the fibrous material yields, and the rubber, acting on the journal, causes great friction, and is capable of sustainingthe weight of the heaviest shades, thus admitting of using a much lighter spring than could ordinarily be used. Also, as the shade and its weighted slat or tassel are raised by the hand the tendency of the spring is to slightly lift the journal on within the friction-ring d, and

thus release a greater part of the friction aforesaid. The shade may be raised to any desired height, even thrown up so the bottom of the shade will come completely up to the ro1ler,'so freely does the journal revolve on the fibrous material or cotton u hen the weightis removed and the shade ascending. This is obviously a great advantage, as all will see who have ever tried to raise a balance-shade to the top of a high or even ordinary window while standing only on the floor. Another thing which commends this material for this purpose is its cheapness compared with felt, leather, or any mechanical devices used for producing friction. The fabric is preferably made of sheets of cotton duck, of suitable weight, cemented together with rubber or gum, similar to ordinary rubber belting. This fabric I also use as a friction-disk on the side of the spool on common cord-rollers, and it has the necessary friction to sustain the weights of the heaviest shades.

Another feature of my invention consists in the arrangement of the automatic locking device, and its combination with a friction device andaweighted slator tassel in a spring-balance roller, as referred to in lines to on'page 2 of the specification forming part of United States Patent- No.224,59'6, application filed July 15, 1878, and granted to me February 17,1810. Therein the cam is made double, and, with two locking-cylinders, is arranged as an automatic lock, and said patent sets forth and broadly claims the combination, with a spring shaderoller, ot a cam fixed to the spindle, a lockingroller, and an annular flange; also a cam fixed to the spindle, and provided with a pocket, e, for holding thelocking roll orcylinderoutofengagement, and hence I do not claim them now. In the present case I use a single cam, H, and locking-cylinder, I, as a spindle-lock for looking the spring on removal of the roller from its brackets. A lip, b, on the side of the angular end I) of spindle B fits into a-corresponding notch in bracket 0, and thus insures the cam bein'g always on the top, so as when the roller is operating in its brackets the lockingcylinder I is held in the pocket clout of engagement, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. On the removal of the roller from its brackets the cam H throws the locking-cylinder I out of the pocket 0 and into engagement with the annular flange A, thus wedging and securely locking the spring and preventing its unwinding, as shown in Fig. 3. The cap A, which forms the annular flange for locking-cylinder I to engage with,1 make of a stronger and harder wood than the main body of the roller, so as to withstand the abrasion consequent upon locking. It is also neater in appearance, cheaper to manufacture, and more noiseless than a metallic end. I t'orm corrugations 1 2 3 4, 850, on the surface of the cam H. Also the locking-cylinder I is slightly corrugated. This produces a more sure and positive lock than when the cylinder is smooth or polygonal. The circular sides It It of the cam H are for the purpose of protecting the locking-cylinder I and reve'nting the frictional contact of the inner ace of the cap A from throwing the locking-cylinder I into engagement with the cam H and flange or cap A under a rapid upward movement of the shade.

Another feature of my invention is the improved shade-stick and weight. constructed as shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9. The stick G is grooved on both sides,and also one edge. This grooving is accomplished cheaply by sawing, the sticks being dropped edgewise on saws of suitable diameters placed together, and are fed along a sufficient distance for the length of groove required for the weight K when they are raised from contact therewith. The weight K, when placed in the groove 9, does not project beyond the stick G, but inerly comes out flush therewith. They may be constructed very cheaply of cast-iron, same grade as ordinary window-weights, and any holes for the recepfion ot' screws, 860., may be cast in them. I prefer to use the form shown in Figs.'8, 9, and 11, as the weight so constructed is heavy enough when made very short, thus admitting of cutting ofi the stick short. It also, when placed on the stick, attaches itself securely thereto by clamping the central part of the grooved portion of the stick between its sides, thus dispensing with the necessity of any screws or tacks for holding it in place.

What I claim as my invention is 1. A journal or hearing for curtain or shade rollers, having a bearing-surface of cotton and rubber, substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.

2. The spindle-cam H,haring sides hh and corrugations 1 2 3 4, 820., and pocket 6, for the purpose set forth.

I 3. The locking-cylinder I, corrugated on its periphery, adapted to secure frictional contact, as represented and set torth.

4. The shade-stick Gr, grooved on its edge and both of its sides to receive and hold the weight K, substantially as shown in Figs. 7, g

DANIEL E. KEMPSTER.

Witnesses:

ALBAN ANDREN, HENRY OHADBOURN.

IIO 

